Skip to content

Attendees at the World Cafe, International Development Week 2019.

 

Humber takes on global challenges at IDW 2019

February 28, 2019

 

This year’s International Development Week (IDW) (Feb 5-8) delivered an impactful program aimed at engaging the Humber community on today’s most critical global issues. IDW is organized by the International Development Institute (IDI) with the support of The Business School. Through lectures, panel discussions and roundtables, IDW audiences heard first-hand stories from Canadian development experts and participated in interactive sessions aimed at problem-solving and finding new ways to take action. Here are some of the highlights.

 

Inspiring collaboration at the World Café

The World Café roundtable events gathered faculty and staff interested in learning about the IDI and collaborating on international development projects. Facilitated in part by student volunteers from the International Development postgraduate program, the discussions highlighted actionable goals such as building better communication channels and structures for collaboration, creating cross-departmental teams to solve problems from multi-disciplinary perspectives, and finding new ways to connect faculty and industry professionals.

Based on the positive feedback, the IDI is now working to create a roster of subject matter experts, as well as more opportunities for faculty, staff and students to get involved in IDI projects.

 

Jean Chamberlain Froese and Save the Mothers

Founder and executive director of Save the Mothers, Jean Chamberlain Froese took the stage at IDW to share her expertise on women's health. This event was organized by IDS Village, a new IGNITE club led by ID undergraduate students. Froese shared her personal story about working with women in developing countries and how her organization is helping train local leaders to reduce maternal mortality.

 

OCIC gender equality panel discussion

Humber and the Ontario Council for International Cooperation (OCIC) co-hosted a panel discussion and workshop focused on preventing and managing of sexual exploitation, abuse and misconduct within the international development sector. Participants shared best practices and identified next steps that can help ensure responsible and accountable practices by Canadian development organizations.

 

The doors are open

Events like this make it very clear how strong the talent and commitment of Humber’s community, especially when it comes to being part of the solutions for pressing world challenges. There was great momentum created at this year’s IDW for the Humber community to mobilize its skills and enthusiasm and get more engaged in development issues.

 

A big thank you to all the organizers and participants who made the week a success.  

 

If you’d like to join IDI’s roster of subject matter experts or want to learn more,  please contact Nalini or Jennifer or visit the International Development Institute site.

 

Nalini Andrade, Manager, International Development Institute

nalini.andrade@humber.ca

 

Jennifer Cleary, Program Officer, International Development Institute

Jennifer.cleary@humber.ca